Washington is only state to keep net neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission repealed the 2015 Obama administration's landmark net neutrality rules in December by a 3-2 vote, sparking a firestorm of criticism on social media websites, opposition from internet firms like Facebook Inc (FB.O) and Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), and protests among Democrats in the Republican-controlled Congress.

Net neutrality, which once required internet service providers to treat all online content the same, is now gone starting Monday. Under that approach, the internet was open and free.

Those last two should stick out to you, as they have been key points in the debates surrounding net neutrality rules. A third rule banned the practice of paid prioritization, or the offering of the Internet "fast lanes". Startups without the resources to pay to remove throttling or for faster lanes might be unable to ever compete with established players.

The issue of net neutrality has sparked intense debate in the USA since last April when FCC chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican appointed by President Donald Trump, announced that under his leadership the FCC would repeal landmark net neutrality rules created under President Obama in 2015.

Many consumer advocates argued that once the rules were scrapped, broadband providers would begin selling the internet in bundles, not unlike cable television packages.

So net neutrality's path through Congress is an uphill battle, but some are still optimistic that net neutrality will win out in the end. But like many ardent net neutrality supporters, Schaub said he thinks it will take a while for the repeal to trickle down to customers, saying it will be more like "small and creeping changes rather than sudden shifts". "For example, we empower the Federal Trade Commission to police internet service providers for anticompetitive acts and unfair or deceptive practices".

However, 23 attorney generals who want net neutrality back have filed a lawsuit against the FCC. The repeal effectively allows ISPs to block, throttle and prioritize content and internet access as they please.

This change has raised fears that companies like Comcast would suddenly start slowing down services like Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, etc.

MSU student Ryan Kiggans said he's not only frustrated by the potential of paying to get more information, he's also upset by whom these decisions are made: namely the FCC. "The internet is coming for net neutrality", said Greer.

"ISPs could curate what online content and services most people will have access to, and which ones will only be available to those who are willing to and can afford to pay extra", Schaub added. If the only providers that can serve state governments are those that observe net neutrality, these states reason, then it could shape what services consumers are offered, too. Governors in five states-Hawaii, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont-have signed executive orders similar to Oregon's law covering service to the states.

Comments

Latest Posts

FactCheck: What happened to Brexit in Parliament yesterday?
Keir Starmer, the main opposition Labour's chief Brexit spokesman said: "The government's amendment is simply not good enough". Pro-Brexit politicians argue that staying in an EU customs union would limit Britain's freedom to trade with other countries.

Bourdain's death means loss of a voice for immigrant workers
The Senator cited three successful federal suicide prevention programs. "His friend was waiting at breakfast", Voinson said. But it's essential to remind yourself - and the person you're trying to help - that people do emerge from depression.

Fallout 76, Doom Eternal, Elder Scrolls VI
Bethesda's Todd Howard said that it harks back to the Arena , the first Elder Scrolls game in 1994. You can customize your character with different features and pick your race and class.

Meghan Markle on Being Married to Prince Harry
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may immediately be named king and queen of Canada because of a loophole in the Canadian law. Meghan is being given advice from her during her first six months as a royal.

Global stocks rise ahead of Trump-Kim summit
That's according to South Korea's presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae at a press briefing in Singapore on Monday. This will be the first time a sitting United States president and a North Korean leader will meet face to face.

Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner made $82 million in 2017
The form shows Ivanka Trump also collected almost US$290,000 in advance payments for a 2017 book she wrote titled Women Who Work . Federal rules require top officials to report income, assets and liabilities in broad ranges.